Normally if you mention Adie Knox to a Windsorite, the first thing that comes to mind is the arena on Wyandotte St West, but who was she?
From the Windsor Star – March 15th, 1967:
Mrs. W. F. Herman
Mrs. Adie Knox Herman, O.B.E., died Tuesday afternoon at her Home, 3945 Riverside Drive East.
She was the widow of W.F. Herman, founder of The Windsor Star.Born near Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Mrs. Herman was the daughter of the late James Jeffery nox and Addie MacKay Knox. Through her father she was descended from John Knox of Scotland. Her ancestors came to Nova Scotia from Scotland many generations ago. She was a Presbyterian and attended Saint Andrew’s Church.
Mr. Herman was born in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, where his father was a sea captain. Mr. Herman’s people came to Nova Scotia in 1749.
Mr. Herman went to Boston and when he was established, Mrs. Herman went there and they were married in Chelsea. They lived in the Boston area prior to moving to Saskatoon. Sask., in 1907, In the West Mr. Herman owned The Saskatoon Star and The Regina Post. In 1918 he bought the old Windsor Record and changed it to The Star.
Later Mr. Herman sold his Western papers. In 1923 Mr. and Mrs. Herman moved to Windsor to live. Since Mr. Herman’s death in 1938 Mrs. Herman had been Chairman of the Board of The Windsor Star.
She was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1946. She was made an honorary member of the Red Cross in 1953. Mr. and Mrs. Herman had one child, Ruth Knox Herman, who died in 1920. Miss Herman was engaged to marry W. L. Clark, present vice-president and editor of The Windsor Star.
Mrs. Herman had been ill for some months. But, she always kept interested in affairs. She followed world and local events closely. The last time she was out of her home was the federal election day, Nov. 8, 1965. Although far from well, she said it was the duty of everyone to vote and she was going to the polls. She went and cast her ballot.
She had a keen sense of justice. Some years ago when a man was imprisoned in Windsor for some trouble over his dog, Mrs. Herman paid the man’s fine and so freed him from jail. This was just one of many things she did from time to time.
In her quiet way she helped many individuals and many causes. She was intensely proud of the W. F. Herman Collegiate Institute, which was named in honor of Mr. Herman and his keen support of education in the community, Mrs. Herman was one of the first women to drive a car. She learned on prairie trails. She was also a capable horsewoman.
One of Mrs. Herman’s greatest thrills came early in World War II when she presented an ambulance to the Essex Scottish. With bands playing the Scottish marched past and saluted her. She often talked about how proud she was of that and how she was stirred by the skirl of the pipes.
Mrs. Herman is survived by two sisters: Mrs. O. C. Lawson of Saskatoon and Mrs. Albert Holland of South Gate, California; and by two nieces: Mrs. Donald Marsland, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Mrs. Grace Worcester, Saskatoon.
Mrs. Herman will rest at her home, 3945 Riverside Drive East, from noon today. A service will be held at the home at 8 o’clock Thursday evening. Rev. William Lawson, pastor of Saint Andrew’s Church will officiate.
The Thursday evening service is for all friends of Mrs. Herman.
Funeral services will be conducted in Saskatoon at 2 p.m. Monday at the, home of Mrs. Herman’s sister, Mrs. Lawson. Burial will be in the family plot in Saskatoon Cemetery.
Rev. Mr. Lawson will fly to Saskatoon Sunday afternoon to officiate at the funeral services there. He will be assisted by Rev. Brian Jones, pastor of Knox United Church, Saskatoon, funeral arrangements are being handled in Windsor by the (sic) H. S. Anderson and Sons Ltd. and in Saskatoon by McKague’s Funeral Home.
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As it stated in her obituary she loved to drive. A few years ago I came across these two car registration permits on eBay.
The home at 3945 Riverside Drive East has long been demolished. It sat on Riverside Dr. immediately west of the Joyce House (former convent) along “Millionaires Row”. The site today is occupied by the Colony Park Condos.
Got a chuckle out of the power rating for her 1930 V8 Cadillac: 36 HP.
A far cry from today’s 400+ HP models.
Nice background info anyway….especially her views on voting. Good stuff.
Where was 287 Sandwich? Is that westend sandwich now — or was Riverside Dr named sandwich then? I recall it was.
$20 was fairly high to register a car back then.
Shawn, that’s Riverside Dr E. today. Almost at the corner of Riverside & George.
Also of note, her obitiuary makes reference to a sister in California. The 1933 Permit has a stamp on the back from the DMV marked “Entered California – December 25, 1933”. Must have gone to visit her sister…
Andrew
I worked for Lum Clark at the residence above in the early 1970’s while I was a student at the University of Windsor. I had many interesting evenings seeing the contents of the house you mention and his stories of Mrs. Herman and their world travels. It is unfortunate that the city of Windsor had little interest in the historic value of it and it’s contents. Thanks for this interesting website.
Lum Clark was my Great Uncle. When I was a teenager I spent part of my summer holidays with him in Windsor – for several years in a row. He was a kind, wise and gentle man who truly cared about people. He was a huge influence in my life in every respect and I still think of him as being my guardian angel. I only wish I had been old enough to appreciate him more – I have so many questions to ask…
Uncle Lum was engaged to Ruth Herman, who died tragically a few weeks before their wedding day. They met when he was in a British hospital recovering from wounds he received on the battlefield during WWI. He was just a teenager. He lived the rest of his life with shrapnel and a large hole in his back. My brother has written a book about Lum’s experiences during and after the Great War, based on his diaries. Lum was devastated by Ruth’s death and dedicated his life to her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Herman, who he lived with until they passed on. When Lum passed on, the house and its contents were left to the church. The Herman’s intention was for their beautiful well-appointed home to become a retirement home but the church had it demolished very quickly and built on the land. Personally, I felt a great loss. When I stayed there it was like a museum – filled with memories. I inherited some of Mrs. Herman’s things and would like to contact any family member remaining who might be interested in them. I never knew her but have heard she was a fine woman.
…How great to know this. Both of my grandsons went to Herman highschool. Good stuff.
I’m liking this site more and more Andrew.
Many thanks
I remember the old Herman mansion on Riverside Drive. It was a beautiful brick structure with three dormer windows in front, a red roof and a porte-cochere on its west side. I’d love to see a picture of that house if anyone has one.
Re the following message, could Dave contact me at papadelta23@sympatico.ca. Thank you.
Dave
April 11, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Andrew
I worked for Lum Clark at the residence above in the early 1970’s while I was a student at the University of Windsor. I had many interesting evenings seeing the contents of the house you mention and his stories of Mrs. Herman and their world travels. It is unfortunate that the city of Windsor had little interest in the historic value of it and it’s contents. Thanks for this interesting website.